Got Firewood? What you need to know!

What is at risk?

Emerald ash borer attacks ash, and Minnesota has more ash than any other state. There are nearly a billion ash in our forests and another 2.7 million in our cities and towns. The potential economic and environmental impacts of losing these trees are substantial. The cost of removing and replacing a single tree can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Gypsy moth feeds on the leaves of a wide range of deciduous trees, preferring oaks, aspen, basswood, paper birch, and tamarack. These trees are essential to our state’s ecology and beauty. Trees may die when repeatedly defoliated. Hordes of caterpillars wriggling on trees and buildings are a nuisance, and can negatively affect many Minnesota businesses, such as ourmulti-billion dollar tourism industry.

ARREST PEST

Emerald ash borer larva.

Female gypsy moth with egg mass. Pupal case, upper right.

Did you know forest pests may be lurking in your firewood?Invasive forest pests are plants, insects and diseases that can cause significant damage to our forests and trees. Emerald ash borer and gypsy moth are two of the nation’s most destructive invasive forest pests. Each has attacked millions of trees nationwide. These two pests are in parts of Minnesota and are threatening our urban and natural forests. These pests tend to spread slowly on their own. Unfortunately, we can unknowingly and quickly spread them to new areas of the state.

How do we unknowingly help these destructive insects travel so fast and far? By moving firewood. Even though there may not appear to be anything living on or in your firewood, there certainly may be. Emerald ash borer larvae can live under the bark of firewood for two years. Gypsy moth females can lay their egg masses on firewood, easily spreading a thousand new hungry caterpillars. When firewood is moved, so are these insects. Protect our forests; don’t give these pests a free ride.

Further Information

Quarantines, becoming an MDA certified firewood dealer, and info on other invasive pests: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Division

Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us Voicemail: 888-545-6684 mda.state.mn.us/pestregs

Firewood on state lands: dnr.state.mn.us/firewood

Requirements for labeling: Minnesota Department of Commerce Weights and Measures 651-215-5821

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this information

is available in alternative forms of communication upon request by

calling 651-201-6000. TTY users can call the Minnesota Relay Service

at 711. The MDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Published 2016

What is being done? To slow the spread of invasive forest pests in Minnesota, the following actions are being taken.

Restrictions on Firewood MovementThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have authority to regulate pests, such as gypsy moth and emerald ash borer, so they are not spread to new areas by human activities. To accomplish this, they have established pest quarantines in Minnesota that restrict the movement of firewood. A quarantine is a law which prevents the human-assisted spread of invasive pests into, or within, the state. The purpose of pest quarantines is to allow trade to continue, while limiting the spread of harmful pests.

For current information on regulations and quarantines in Minnesota, please visit mda.state.mn.us/pestregs.

It is illegal to move hardwood firewood out of a gypsy moth or emerald ash borer quarantined county. Infractions are punishable by daily fines up to $7,500.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for managing invasive pests on state-administered lands such as state parks and wildlife management areas. To protect these valuable lands from devastating forest pests, the DNR has an approved firewood vendor program to assure only locally harvested firewood is used. For more information, please visit dnr.state.mn.us/firewood.

Each strategy is unique but the goal is the same: to protect our natural resources from invasive pests. (see comparison table)

Firewood Heat Treatment Certification ProgramThe MDA and USDA have a firewood heat treatment certification program. Certified firewood has been processed, or heat-treated, according to standards required to kill forest pests. Certified firewood is allowed to move out of quarantine counties. All certified wood will have an MDA or USDA shield on the label, shown below.

The table below highlights the differences between MDA/USDA Certified and DNR Approved firewood.

MDA/USDA Certified Firewood

DNR Approved Firewood

Allowed to move statewide on both public and private lands.

Allowed on DNR-administered lands within 50 miles of harvest location.

Can be moved out of a quarantine.

Cannot be moved out of a quarantine unless it is also MDA/USDA certified.

Certified pest-free.Not necessarily pest-free.

What can you do? Whether you’re selling, buying, or have your own firewood, there are several things you can do to stop the spread of invasive forests pest.

If you purchase firewood:• Buy MDA/USDA certified heat-treated firewood.

Certified firewood poses the lowest risk of carrying pests.

• Buy it close to where it will be burned – the more local the wood is, the less likely it is to contain pests that are not already in the area.

• Make sure it is labeled with the required information – look for county of harvest location.

• Burn it quickly, and don’t store it for long periods of time.

If you have your own firewood:• Burn it close to where it was harvested.

• Burn firewood used for home heating before spring to prevent pests from emerging. Insects and diseases attack trees during the growing season in Minnesota.

If you sell firewood:• Follow all plant pest quarantine laws.

• Assure that all the firewood you offer for sale meets Minnesota labeling requirements.

• Consider becoming an MDA certified heat-treated firewood dealer.

• Use local markets and minimize long-distance transport to avoid introducing harmful forest pests to new areas.

What is required to move firewood? No hardwood firewood is legally allowed to move out of a gypsy moth or emerald ash borer quarantine. Firewood from other states may also be restricted.

Moving uncertified firewood out of quarantine is punishable by daily fines up to $7,500.

Verify that the firewood is not moving out of a quarantined area. If the county is quarantined, you will need a compliance agreement* with the MDA in order for you or your business to move firewood out of a quarantined area.

* The compliance agreement is an arrangement between you or your business and the MDA. It states how you or your business plans to minimize the spread of the quarantined invasive insect. Contact the MDA to determine if a compliance agreement is necessary.

Check the label. All firewood offered for sale, including bulk sales, must follow Minnesota labeling laws (MN Stat., Chapter 239, Weights and Measures). Check for this information on your label:

Firewood Distributor Name Mailing Address City, State, Zip Net Quantity: cu ft County of Harvest: County, MN

* Price is optional; however, it needs to be present at the point of sale.

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